Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator
One of the fun things about my job is getting to see all the creative ways people find to support EECM. I've blogged in the past about the dentist who saves gold fillings, a bank growing vegetables in a cemetery, and a volunteer who bought cots for the homeless shelter. Well here's another one.
Meet Don McNeill and Fannie Peczenik. This civic-minded couple lives in Oakland. Whenever they are out and about and encounter dropped change on the ground, they pick it up. Then they save it and donate it to us.
And I'm not just talking about pennies, either (although they do collect those). Recently, they found a twenty dollar bill on the ground and, instead of using it to splurge on pizza or a new DVD, it also went into the EECM collection pot. Their last donation totaled $41.50.
Don says that this year's harvest will begin as soon as the snow melts.
Many thanks for your creativity and commitment to East End Cooperative Ministry!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
We Shall Overcome Video
One of the highlights of the Martin Luther King service each year is the ending hymn. We always sing "We Shall Overcome" and it is quite beautiful. Here's a snippet from this year.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MLK Sauce Boss Video
And now, for your viewing pleasure, a brief video of the Sauce Boss rocking out at the Martin Luther King event. (It's just over a minute and a half long).
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Martin Luther King & the Meaning of "Interfaith"
Written by: Kate Snyder, Development & Donor Communications Coordinator
It seems to me that you can usually find two basic approaches to being "interfaith." One seeks to focus exclusively on common ground, emphasizing (often to the exclusion of all else) those points of agreement between whatever faith traditions you are bringing together. Which is all well and good, but the danger of oversimplification lurks in those waters. If you only bring to the table that which you share in common, these conversations can frequently be boiled down to "be nice to people because God says so."
A lovely sentiment, but it doesn't do justice, truly, to any community's rich history and tradition.
The other approach is one of true sharing and exchange. When you bring all that you are to the table. You expect there to be differences, but you revel in those differences rather than fearing them or seeking to pretend they do not exist. And in the midst of those differences, you may just find unity of purpose.
In my humble opinion, EECM's 25th Annual MLK celebration service was the latter type of interfaith gathering. I saw yarmulke-clad men clapping their hands along with the gospel choir, and grey-haired Presbyterian ladies tapping their feet to the enthusiastic music of a Jewish quartet. Representatives of Islam, Christianity and Judaism alike shared readings from Dr. King, and the pastor of the Pittsburgh Korean Church read scripture in Korean.
On the eve of the inauguration of our first black president, we raised our diverse but harmonious voices in song, in prayer, and in celebration of the eternal message of Martin Luther King. We recognized that we have come a long way -- and that we have work still to do. United by faith. Dedicated to service.
It was gorgeous.
It seems to me that you can usually find two basic approaches to being "interfaith." One seeks to focus exclusively on common ground, emphasizing (often to the exclusion of all else) those points of agreement between whatever faith traditions you are bringing together. Which is all well and good, but the danger of oversimplification lurks in those waters. If you only bring to the table that which you share in common, these conversations can frequently be boiled down to "be nice to people because God says so."
A lovely sentiment, but it doesn't do justice, truly, to any community's rich history and tradition.
The other approach is one of true sharing and exchange. When you bring all that you are to the table. You expect there to be differences, but you revel in those differences rather than fearing them or seeking to pretend they do not exist. And in the midst of those differences, you may just find unity of purpose.
In my humble opinion, EECM's 25th Annual MLK celebration service was the latter type of interfaith gathering. I saw yarmulke-clad men clapping their hands along with the gospel choir, and grey-haired Presbyterian ladies tapping their feet to the enthusiastic music of a Jewish quartet. Representatives of Islam, Christianity and Judaism alike shared readings from Dr. King, and the pastor of the Pittsburgh Korean Church read scripture in Korean.
On the eve of the inauguration of our first black president, we raised our diverse but harmonious voices in song, in prayer, and in celebration of the eternal message of Martin Luther King. We recognized that we have come a long way -- and that we have work still to do. United by faith. Dedicated to service.
It was gorgeous.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Post Script
Written by: Kate Snyder, Development & Donor Communications Coordinator, and "Church Lady"
Today’s post is a post script to Adrienne’s Story on Wednesday. Adrienne shared with us that her son received clothing and books and a notebook for Christmas. Accompanying the gifts was this note:
“Dear Lad,
(That sounds much better than “Dear 15 year old male” or “Dear FP58.”)
Thank you for asking for books! Reading is one of the things I love best in the world, and it’s so good to find someone else who also enjoys books. In case the ones I chose are not to your liking, there are gift receipts enclosed.
When I was scanning the shelves at Borders and Barnes & Noble, I discovered that there aren’t many books with African American characters. The notebook is included in case you wanted to add to the genre some day.”
Happy Holidays!
Church Lady"
Included in the card was a $40 gift card to Borders.
And so, to this cheery anonymous church lady I add my thanks. You made Christmas special for this young man and that makes you special as well.
Today’s post is a post script to Adrienne’s Story on Wednesday. Adrienne shared with us that her son received clothing and books and a notebook for Christmas. Accompanying the gifts was this note:
“Dear Lad,
(That sounds much better than “Dear 15 year old male” or “Dear FP58.”)
Thank you for asking for books! Reading is one of the things I love best in the world, and it’s so good to find someone else who also enjoys books. In case the ones I chose are not to your liking, there are gift receipts enclosed.
When I was scanning the shelves at Borders and Barnes & Noble, I discovered that there aren’t many books with African American characters. The notebook is included in case you wanted to add to the genre some day.”
Happy Holidays!
Church Lady"
Included in the card was a $40 gift card to Borders.
And so, to this cheery anonymous church lady I add my thanks. You made Christmas special for this young man and that makes you special as well.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Adrienne's Story
Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator
Last week, in the midst of a crazy busy day, I had one of those luminous interactions that reminds you why exactly it is that you do what you do.
It was a phone call from a woman named Adrienne. Her son was a participant in our Christmas Gift Program this year and she was calling to express her thanks.
“I am just so grateful,” she said. “People went above and beyond. I had no idea people would be so nice to my son.”
“As a parent, not being able to buy things for your child is hard. My son had no undershirts without a hole in them. And he needed slippers badly. Everything he needed, he received – clothing and books. He loves to read. No one has ever done anything like that before.”
“I’ve always believed that nobody owes you anything. Nobody told me to have my child. No one told my husband to leave. No one owes me anything. So for someone – a stranger! – to go out of their way and make Christmas for my child…”
“I wish I could hug them. I wish I could drop to my knees and just hug them. We know that we have been blessed by these people.”
Last week, in the midst of a crazy busy day, I had one of those luminous interactions that reminds you why exactly it is that you do what you do.
It was a phone call from a woman named Adrienne. Her son was a participant in our Christmas Gift Program this year and she was calling to express her thanks.
“I am just so grateful,” she said. “People went above and beyond. I had no idea people would be so nice to my son.”
“As a parent, not being able to buy things for your child is hard. My son had no undershirts without a hole in them. And he needed slippers badly. Everything he needed, he received – clothing and books. He loves to read. No one has ever done anything like that before.”
“I’ve always believed that nobody owes you anything. Nobody told me to have my child. No one told my husband to leave. No one owes me anything. So for someone – a stranger! – to go out of their way and make Christmas for my child…”
“I wish I could hug them. I wish I could drop to my knees and just hug them. We know that we have been blessed by these people.”
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Words from a Client
Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator
Today I wanted to share with you a wonderful card we received from one of our Food Pantry clients. She writes:
"Dear Staff of the EECM Food Pantry,
I want to thank each one of you for the generous food products and extras provided for me during my emergency circumstances several weeks ago. These gifts were a real blessing and were certainly needed and helped me in many ways.
I was also so impressed with all the staff working at the Food Pantry and particularly Joan, the volunteer who went out of her way to help a friend in need.
I extend a very Merry Christmas to each of you and may the New Year bless you with many gifts. Blessings and peace."
Today I wanted to share with you a wonderful card we received from one of our Food Pantry clients. She writes:
"Dear Staff of the EECM Food Pantry,
I want to thank each one of you for the generous food products and extras provided for me during my emergency circumstances several weeks ago. These gifts were a real blessing and were certainly needed and helped me in many ways.
I was also so impressed with all the staff working at the Food Pantry and particularly Joan, the volunteer who went out of her way to help a friend in need.
I extend a very Merry Christmas to each of you and may the New Year bless you with many gifts. Blessings and peace."
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Blog is Back
Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator
Dear Friends,
I'm happy to report that I (and by extension the EECM blog) am back in action. I missed adding my two cents to all the exciting EECM activities over the last couple months, but I was just a wee bit busy...
Dear Friends,
I'm happy to report that I (and by extension the EECM blog) am back in action. I missed adding my two cents to all the exciting EECM activities over the last couple months, but I was just a wee bit busy...
That's Eliah Jean Snyder squawking in her dad's arms. She was born October 15th and makes every day fabulous.
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